GLASS A DAY KEEPS DOCTOR AWAY

Raise a glass to the U.S. Treasury Department for promoting fairness in advertising.

The department has proposed adding information to wine labels that reflects health benefits of the ancient elixir, affirmed in several scientific studies.

Moderate consumption of wine -- five ounces a day, according to government guidelines -- has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.

Placing this information on wine bottles makes as much sense as any labeling program. After all, wine labels currently warn that the contents are harmful to pregnant women, impair drivers and cause certain health problems. Why not tell another truth?

Of course, being a government project, it isn't quite that simple. The labels wouldn't be straightforward. They would say one of two things:

"The proud people who made this wine encourage you to consult your family doctor about the health effects of wine consumption."

Or, "To learn the health effects of wine consumption, send for the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans." It provides a mailing address and a web site.

If, after all that, you still want the wine, you deserve a glass.

Some senators -- including Strom Thurmond who initiated the present warning labels -- worry that a positive message will encourage heavy drinking. Similar illogic has been expressed by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General.

This is muddled thinking. Since when has anything a senator or government bureaucrat said influenced the public to that drastic degree?

There's no evidence that warning labels have changed people's smoking habits or stopped them from drinking alcoholic beverages. Likewise, people who drink too much probably don't need encouragement from a label.

The change will become final after a public comment period and a review by the Treasury Department. Let's go for it.

It's about time something that tastes good was recognized as good for you.